February 23, 2011

Still winter

The overnight snow was not heavy, but in some places on the driveway enough accumulated over the past few nights to keep the snow blower busy for awhile. By noon the temperature made it above freezing, the sun appeared briefly, and most of the light snow in the valley melted. An hour later, the mercury began a rapid retreat into that little bulb at the bottom of the thermometer where it will hide from the sub-zero temperature tonight, the wind started coming up and the snow started coming down. I put a light pack containing my camera gear into the Jeep along with our dog (who told me she really, really, really, really wanted to go {be careful what you wish for}) and turned up the road toward higher country in the Lolo National Forest.

Ten miles up the road, a thousand feet higher in elevation and several hundred years back in time we stopped for a short hike and I snapped a few photos for the first time in a week. The world was different there.

After a few miles on snowshoes, I will sleep well tonight.

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I’ll say, our worlds sure are different this time of year. I’m afraid once that mercury started to drop, I would have climbed into bed with a bunch of covers instead of climbing into a jeep to head to a higher altitude. But you were rewarded with gorgeous scenery and photos. I hope your dog sleeps well tonight, too.

She is, Chad, but against the snow we couldn’t see her, even if she could stay on top of it and pose, neither of which would happen. By the way, It’s 9PM here now and we have received 5 inches of snow in the last three hours. It’s snowing now like it means it! I may need those ‘shoes yet tonight!

Yes, we have to be prepared for winter weather, especially in rural areas like this. Around here most everyone either has to work out in the elements, is a hunter, or enjoys winter outdoor sports. For over twenty years now I haven’t had a vehicle that wasn’t four wheel drive.

Our dog in a Pointer that we got several years ago from a Humane Society shelter. he was part of a “puppy mill” and never had a chance to be a dog. Now she is, and she just loves to get out and run, and many times I take her for a hike when I don’t really want to myself, but when she loves it so much it seems like a small thing to do for her.

I actually prefer the other three seasons over winter, but when the snow is here, might as well go out and play in it!

And I’m looking forward to taking them! This has been a long and cold winter. Spring will just explode when it starts, and with all of the snow higher up, there will be plenty of water for the country this summer.

It is indeed quiet. The only sounds I heard out there yesterday were made by snow falling off the tree branches (and only once did it find its way down my neck). I love the blanket of snow. We had about 7 inches of new snow on the roof last night before the temperature really dropped and it was just like an extra blanket of insulation to keep the house warm.

We are in winter again, Marcie. Whatever else it is, it really is pretty. I’m about to go out and plow us out with the snowblower, which is a way of removing it from the driveway and redepositing it on my hat.

Hi Montucky, We are at 1,800 ft. elevation here on the Cumberland Plateau. Today we are having a rainy fairly warm day. I think Old Man Winter has fled the state! I love your pictures today. I have never snowshoed an imagine that is a fun thing to do. It beats sinking into a deep pile of snow, that’s for sure! Have a wonderful day and stay warm.

Yes, it feels very strange not to use the camera. I has been so dark and gray lately though. It’s much prettier now, but very cold and not much access off the main roads.I also find it useful to carry an extra battery for the Nikon. The cold really drains them quickly.

I don’t know what the total snow has been higher up, but we now have plenty here. It’s is supposed to be -8 tonight and tomorrow night, then ironically by mid next week it should hit 40. I’ll get out the oars.

Awesome photos. To me it was very interesting to see snow in other parts of world then here where I live. Your snowshoes are very stylish! To use snowshoes is not so general yet here. My wife has used them once and she praised them very much, but I am not used them.

I really enjoy using the snowshoes. The ones that I have are new design and are light and very efficient. They were a gift from my Son and I like them very much. There used to be a very old set in our family that I liked very much but they have somehow disappeared. After a drought here that has lasted over twelve years it is wonderful to have this volume of snow now!

Keeping track of here has become a real problem. She seems to enjoy the snow very much. If everyone enjoyed just being outside and running around as much as she does we could have a lot simpler society.